Before the season kicked off, we took a week off to explore Alice, Uluru and Kings Canyon with our niece visiting from Brisbane.
Day 1 – Coffee, Wallabies & the West Macs
Our first day started with a coffee from my favourite cafe at the Olive Pink Botanic Gardens. You can’t beat sitting and sipping a coffee while listening to the regional bird life. Just next to the cafe is a walk up a small hill with views for miles of Alice Springs and the surrounding Ranges. Bonus are the cute black-footed rock wallabies resting on the rocks.
Opened in 1985, the Olive Pink Botanic Garden is a renowned arid zone garden in Central Australia, featuring over 600 plant species, including Indigenous bushfood and medicine plants. It includes the Registered Sacred Site Tharrarletneme (Annie Meyers Hill), which is significant to the Arrernte people, where many teach and learn about local plants.
Before heading out of town, we hit up my favourite bakery, NT Bakery, for a picnic lunch. With its delicious salad rolls, pies and pastries fresh from the oven and to die for vanilla slices, you can’t go wrong.
From here we made the most of the unusually green surrounds. After the rains in February the gorges and rivers are full and thriving. Simpson’s Gap, only a short drive from Alice township, is must do. We grabbed our chairs and sat under the large trees in the normally dry river bed but this time the water was flowing. We sat in silence and took it all in. A dingo up on the range was howling in the distance making it extra special. There truly is something spiritual within one of the oldest places in the world. Fun fact: Finke river which rarely flows in the West Macs, making it’s way to Lake Eyre, although rarely reaches it, is said to be the oldest riverbed in the world.
We of course wandered up to the gorge taking way too many photos, but in this area it is hard not to. The West MacDonnell Ranges or Tjoritja are one of my favourite drives in Oz. Following the glorious ranges which never seem to end, you can feel the spiritual significance of the Arrernte people, with many aboriginal dreamtime stories.
Day 2 – Red Dirt Roads & Roadhouse Stops
The next day, all fuelled up, we hit the road. First stop was Stuarts Well Roadhouse for brunch and to say a quick hello to the emus.
We drove on to Erldunda, such a great and popular roadhouse. Not hungry from brunch we didn’t partake in a meal but it looked good. Another hello to the emus and off we set along the Red Centre Way to Kings Canyon. The roads are straight and flat, with a whole lot of red dirt in between, but such a lovely drive.
Excitedly we took the right turn towards Kings Canyon, we arrived to our little cabin, what a great campground with sufficient amenities. Now THIS is remote. A petrol station/small shop and a couple of restaurants. We were happy to cook for ourselves, so we just enjoyed a drink from the sunset viewing platform. Wow! Spectacular views of the canyon and ranges.
Day 3 – Heart-Pumping Climbs & Canyon Views
After a good night’s sleep we awoke early to hike the 6km Kings Canyon Rim Walk . I am not a sunrise type girl, but in mid March it’s still a tad warm, so we set off as early as we could. I have done this hike before but it still takes my breath away. It starts with a hard 300m straight up, to really get the heart pumping. Then flattens out for a few kms walking through and around the canyon. We enjoyed ham wraps for brunch sitting on the edge of the canyon, could easily stay here all day.
After wandering around and enjoying the serenity of this beautiful place, with the heat coming in we were ready for the steep downhill. Soon we were spat out at the bottom and headed back to the car. Yep, the flies were definitely a pain, but we were prepared with our fly nets. Back to the sunset viewing bar after a big day hiking.
Plan your stay at Kings Canyon Resort here.
Day 4 – The Open Road to Uluru
The next day, well rested, we jumped back in the car and drove towards Uluru. Stopping at a few roadhouses but as it was quiet we didn’t stay long.
You can fly to Uluru, but to be honest the anticipation of driving towards Uluru is unbeatable. First came the fake Uluru (fooluru). Okay it looks like Uluru and people get excited, but it is Mt Connor (spoiler alert).
After hours of flat desert, there she stood. The big red rock, a large (said to be the largest) sandstone monolith. WOOHO! We had arrived! We checked into Ayers Rock Resort, very touristy, not normally my thing, but lovely resort. That night we watched the sunset over Kata Tjuta, with Uluru in the distance.
Day 5 – A Walk Around the World’s Most Iconic Rock
The next day we set off on the 10km Base Walk around Uluru. After the rain, the red rock, blue sky and lush green shrubbery were gorgeous. The track was wet and muddy in some sections but that didn’t deter us. A lovely walk, but again the heat was setting in so we couldn’t dawdle too much. That night we had dinner in the Resort. Nice food but sheesh, not cheap.
Day 6 – Exploring the Valley of the Winds
The next morning we set off again early for another hike (my poor niece will never forgive me – but I AM a walker) through the spectacular Valley of the Winds at Kata Tjuta. This tough, but stunning, 7.4km circuit awed us all. That night my niece had paid for the field of lights canapes tour. Sadly the sunset from here is not great, bugger, but after a few yummy canapes and a drink, the lights shone over the desert. Stunning.
Exhausted we fell into bed ready for the drive back the next day. All in all a fantastic 5 nights away with perfect weather, as the rains had only just finished, and a magical time exploring the region.
Hi👋 We are Mardelle and David, General Managers at Wintersun Cabin and Caravan Park in Alice Springs. Come along with us as we explore all the Red Centre has to offer!
